Back in February, my friend Arlene Tomlinson (bs) let me know about the All Frets Reunion taking place here in Tucson in August. This annual event is more often held in the Midwest regions so this was going to be a fun diversion spearheaded by Board Member Rob Wright, leader of Arizona’s Wildcat Jazz Band. Since the venue was only two miles from my house it seemed like something I should attend, especially since I would know a few of the musicians from here and the surrounding Phoenix areas that would be performing.
The All Frets Reunion—the Fretted Instrument Guild of America (FIGA)—is celebrating its 66th year and quite a few of the attendees had been to more than 20+ of the annual gatherings. All types of guitars, banjos, mandolins, ukuleles and other kinds of fretted instruments were highlighted throughout the reunion. The sets often included a bass, tuba, keyboard, or trombone in the mix.
From the FIGA website:
Established in 1957 as the Fretted Instrument Guild of America (FIGA), ALL FRETS is an international nonprofit musical-enthusiasts organization. Our membership is made up of banjo, ukulele, mandolin, and guitar players and enthusiasts of all ages from around the world. While ALL FRETS members share a common interest in acoustic fretted instruments and the music they make, it is our spirit of community and friendship which truly makes the ALL FRETS organization uni
